Texas Makes It Easier to Hire Ex-Convicts

Governor Rick Perry has signed a law that makes it more difficult to sue an employer for negligent hiring based on the fact the employee has a conviction record. Employers still need to be diligent however, as the law explicitly allow suits to go forward under certain named circumstances, including cases where the crime occurred in a similar kind of job and workplace or where the offense was murder, aggravated kidnaping or sexual violence, among other crimes. The law goes into effect September 1.